Woop Woop Chardonnay

Woop Woop Chardonnay is a lightly wooded, dry South Australian white wine made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, bottled at 750ml. What distinguishes this expression is its tank-fermented, minimal-lees-contact production approach, delivering a refreshing alternative to the heavily oaked Chardonnays that long dominated the Australian market.

Quick Facts: Varietal: 100% Chardonnay  |  Origin: South Australia  |  Style: Lightly Wooded, Dry  |  Winemaker: Ben Riggs with Tony Parkinson

Production & Heritage

Woop Woop Chardonnay is a collaboration between winemaker Ben Riggs and vineyard owner Tony Parkinson, sourcing fruit from Currency Creek, McLaren Vale, and the Riverina — regions that contribute both cool-climate acidity and warm-climate ripeness. The wine is mostly tank fermented with minimal lees contact, a deliberate choice that preserves bright fruit character while avoiding the heavy, buttery profile associated with extensive barrel aging. A touch of light wooding adds subtle complexity without overwhelming the varietal expression, placing it squarely in the modern Australian Chardonnay movement favoring freshness and balance.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe pineapple and melon before settling into orchard fruit and lemon blossom. Subtle toasty, lactic notes emerge underneath, hinting at the wine's brief oak contact.

Taste: The palate enters with crisp stone fruit — peach and nectarine — then transitions to a fresh mid-palate marked by lime skin and gentle oaky creaminess. Medium-bodied and richly fruity, it stays dry throughout, with balanced acidity keeping the riper tropical notes in check.

Finish: The finish is clean and moderately lingering, with a fresh citrus edge and a faint hint of toasted grain. It leaves the palate refreshed rather than coated, true to its lightly wooded style.

How to Drink Woop Woop Chardonnay

Serve chilled to around 10–12°C (50–54°F) to let both the fruit and the subtle oak complexity shine. This Chardonnay drinks well on its own but has enough texture for cocktail use. A White Wine Spritzer works naturally here, as the wine's bright acidity holds up against soda water and a twist of citrus. It also makes a strong base for a French 75 variation using white wine in place of Champagne, where its toast and lemon blossom notes complement the gin and lemon. For a summery option, try it in a Sangria Blanca — the tropical fruit character pairs well with sliced peaches, mint, and a splash of brandy.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want a versatile, food-friendly white
• Introducing friends to modern, unoaked-style Australian Chardonnay
• Warm-weather gatherings and outdoor entertaining
• Building a casual wine collection with reliable Southern Hemisphere varietals

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Woop Woop Chardonnay taste like? It delivers crisp stone fruit and tropical notes — pineapple, melon, and peach — balanced by fresh acidity and a subtle, creamy hint of oak. The overall impression is medium-bodied, dry, and refreshing rather than heavy or buttery.

How does Woop Woop Chardonnay compare to Yellow Tail Chardonnay? Both are value-tier Australian Chardonnays, but Woop Woop leans toward a more restrained, lightly wooded style with brighter acidity. Yellow Tail Chardonnay tends to be fruitier and softer on the palate, with slightly more overt sweetness in its fruit profile.

Is Woop Woop Chardonnay good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balance of ripe fruit, clean acidity, and gentle oak make it an approachable and refreshing standalone sipper, especially when served well chilled.

Where is Woop Woop Chardonnay made? It is produced in South Australia by winemaker Ben Riggs, with grapes sourced from Currency Creek, McLaren Vale, and the Riverina — a blend of cooler and warmer growing regions.

What foods pair well with Woop Woop Chardonnay? Grilled chicken or turkey breast complements the wine's medium body and light oak. Creamy pasta dishes like fettuccine Alfredo echo its lactic undertones. Pan-seared white fish with lemon plays off the citrus acidity. A mild goat cheese or Brie highlights the subtle creaminess. Stone fruit salads with arugula mirror the wine's core fruit character.

What sizes does Woop Woop Chardonnay come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Woop Woop Chardonnay worth the price? It positions firmly as a value-tier Australian Chardonnay, punching above its price point with multi-region fruit sourcing and a winemaker — Ben Riggs — who has a strong reputation in South Australia. For a lightly wooded, everyday Chardonnay, it represents solid quality for the money.

Why Woop Woop Chardonnay?

The strongest argument for this wine is its production philosophy: tank fermentation with minimal lees contact and restrained oak use produces a Chardonnay that tastes distinctly modern and fresh, avoiding the overly oaked trap that plagued Australian whites for decades. The multi-region sourcing from Currency Creek, McLaren Vale, and the Riverina gives winemaker Ben Riggs a broad palette of fruit characteristics to blend, contributing both tropical richness and crisp acidity. At its price tier, few South Australian Chardonnays offer this level of winemaking intent. It fills a practical gap for anyone who enjoys Chardonnay but wants something lighter, brighter, and more food-versatile than the traditional style.